Method and machine for applying protective caps to nailheads



Feb, 11, 'y H; KING ETAL,

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR AEPLYING PROTECT IVE GAPS TO NAIL HEADS FiledMarch 18, 1959 5 'Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToRs Harry /f/'ngnd Feb., l, if*2,231,165

METHOD AND MACHINE Foa APPLYING BRQTECTIVE CAPs To NAIL HEADS l H. KINGETAL S sheets-sheet 2 Filed March 18, 1959 lNvENToRs l Harryhg andFehlfl, HKM ETAL 2,231,165

` METHOD AND MACHINE FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE CAPS TO NAIL HEADS FiledMarch 18, 1.939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3' :NVENTOR s Harry f/'ng and f I/V//famM. Be// laf H. KING ETAL. 2,231,165

METHOD ND MACHINE FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE CAPS TO NAIL HEADS Feb. 11,1941; KING Erm" v 2,231,165

METHOD AND HACHINE FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE CAPS T0 4NAIL HEADS Filedlawn 18, 1959 v5 sheets-sheet 5 u Wl' iam e fs ymwig h @,mfm

Patented Feb. 11, 1941 ATENT @il METHOD AND MACHINE. FOR APPLYINGPROTECTIVE CAPS TO NAILHEADS Application March 18,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine and method for the application ofcaps of protective material such as lead or the like to the heads ofnails employed for special uses' such as the securing or roofing sheets.

Automatic machines and methods for capping nailheads have been proposedheretofore but, so far as we are aware, manufacture of this commodity bythe hot molding method has continued to be carried out by hand. It isthe general object of our invention, therefore, to provide a machine andmethod for this purpose which avoid the objections inherent in thedevices known heretofore and are characterized by such continuity ofoperation and efficiency of production as to make possible themanufacture `of capped nails at a lower cost than has been possible upto this time.

In a preferred form and practice of our invention, we employ asupporting frame or housing having a turntable mounted therein forrotation in a substantially horizontal plane and provide molds thereinwhereby after properly positioning nails in the molds, cap-formingmaterial may be poured around the heads of the nails. Subsequently tothe pouring operation we subject the caps so formed to a `final shapingas, for example, by a forming die. We also provide automatic means forinsertingv nails in the molds and removingv them therefrom. Furtherdetails of the construction and operation and other novel features ofthe invention will be madeapparent in the following description andexplanation, referring to the accompanying drawings illustrating theembodiment and `practice briefly outlined above. Inthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a machine embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof with partsomitted for the sake ofclearness;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view to enlarged scale taken substantiallyalong the plane of line III-III. of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partial side elevation showing a portion of the mechanismseen in Fig. 2, to enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a view partly in section along the plane of line V-V of Fig. 4and partly in plan;

Fig. 6 is a view partly in section along the plane of line VI--VI ofFig. 2 and partly in plan;

Fig, 7 is a View partly in section along the plane of line `VII---VII ofFig. Grand partly in elevation;

1939, serial No. 262,742 (c1. 1o-1`5s`) Fig. 8 is a sectional View takensubstantially along the plane of line VIII- VIII of Fig. 5;

Fig. '9 is an axial section through one of the molds, taken on `a. planeat right angles to the section of Fig. 8; Y

Fig. 10 is a central vertical section through a ash trimmer, a mold inalinement therewith vand a capped nail partly ejected from the mold;Fig. 11 is an elevation and Fig. 12 a plan 4view of a finished nail; 10

Figs. 13 and 14 lare views similar to Figs. 11 and `12 showing amodified form of nail; and

Fig. l5 is: aA central vertical section through a mold showing themodified form of nail therein with a cap formed on the head thereof.

For convenience and ease of imderstanding, the following detaileddescription will 4be divided into sections,V each relating to one p01--tion or feature o-f the apparatus.

` General arrangement and drive Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and2', the capping machine of our invention comprises generally a housingor frame It including spaced standards Il and l2 connected at the top bya transomkl. The housing l0 is secured to a base I4 which may besuitably mounted on any convenient foundation. A shelf I5 extends between the standards `Il and l2.

*A `crank shaft I6 is journaled in bearings H formed in the standardsflland i2 and a third bearingl i8 depending from the transom i3. A frictioncollar or drag brake I9 is disposed about the left-hand end of the shaftI6 as Aviewed in Fig. 2 and has a radial extension 2U anchored by aiscrew 2|.

`Arly-wheel 22 which is also adapted to serve as `a pulley for a drivingbelt 23, is loose on the shaft 16, ybutthe bore through its hub isprovided with key-ways adapted to cooperate with a key (not shown)mounted in a slot in the shaft for movement axially and radiallythereof. A'wedgingmember 2t `(see Fig. 1) is slidably mounted on thestandard `I2 and has a surface adapted to cause axial movement of thekey. A guide `in` the slot having an' inclined surface causes the key tomove radially when it is moved axially, thus controlling the engagementof the keywith one of the key-ways in the bore of the hub of the`fly-wheel 22. The details of the clutch mechanism `just described arenot illustrated .since any suitable type of clutch may be employed;

'A lever 25 is pivoted on a bracket 26 carried 55 on the standard I2 andis also pivoted to the member 24 for actuating it and retracting it. Alink 21 is pivoted to the lever 25 and to a crank 28 on a shaft 29journaled in the base I4. A treadle 36 is` mounted on the shaft 29whereby the operator, by stepping on the treadle, causes the clutch tobe engaged whereupon the fly-wheel 22 drives the shaft I6. Similarly, assoon as the treadle 36 is released, the clutch mechanism is actuated topermit the y-wheel to turn freely on the shaft I6.

Turntable Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 through 5, a bed 3|is secured to the shelf I5 and provides a support for a turntable 32rotatably disposed thereon. A stud 33 threaded into the bed provides acentral bearing for the table 32. A friction disc 34 held against thetable by a nut 35 threaded on the stud, exerts a slight braking effecton the table.

The periphery of the table 32 is notched as at 36 for cooperation with apawl 31. The pawl 31 is pivoted on a slide 38 movable in guides 39formed on the shelf I5 adjacent the standard II. The slide 38 isreciprocated on rotation of the shaft I6 by means which will now bedescribed. A spring 40 connected to a lever 4I urges the pawl 31 towardthe turntable, as the pawl and lever are secured to a common stub shaftjournaled in the slide 38.

A crank disc 42 is secured to the extreme lefthand end of the shaft I6as viewed in Fig. 2. A link 43 is pivoted to the disc 42 and to a crank44. The crank 44 is secured to a shaft 45 journaled in a bearing 46mounted on the standard II. A crank 41 secured to the shaft 45 has anelongated eye or slot 48 adapted to receive a pin 49 extendingtransversely across the slide 38 adjacent one end thereof. The variousparts just described are so designed that a reciprocation of slide 38 iseffected on each revolution of the shaft I6, the stroke of the slidebeing suflicient to advance the table one notch on each reciprocationthereof.

The turntable 32 is provided with a plurality of molds 5D spacedcircumferentally thereof, the number of molds corresponding to thenumber of notches 36. As shown 4in Fig. 8, the molds 50 are secured insockets formed in the table by set The molds and table have alined holestherethrough adapted to receive the shanks of nails 52. Radial bores 53in the table 32 intersect the holes for the nail shanks and are providedwith a spring-pressed member adapted to engage the shank of a nailinserted through the mold and hold it at any desired elevation therein.The bed 3| has an annular slot 54 to receive the Shanks of the nailsinserted in the molds.

Nail feed The nail feeding mechanism is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7. Anail shaker pan 55 is pivoted to a bracket 56 secured to the standardsII and I2. Such devices are well-known and require no detaileddescription. The pan 55 is oscillated by any convenient means such as alink 51 which may conveniently be pivoted to a crank shaft or the like.On oscillation, the pan 55 jostles nails disposed therein and eventuallyfeeds therefrom a row of nails with points down, between spaced,inclined guides 56. A

A bracket 59 secured to the standard I2 supports a nail feeder indicatedgenerally at 60.

The feeder 69 includes a slide 6I movable longitudinally therethroughand having a notch 62 adapted to aline with the space between the guides58 through which the nails are fed downwardly from the pan 55. Thefeeder 66 also includes a funnel 63 connected to a tube 64 leading intoa nail feeding chuck 65. 'The tube 64 includes a telescoping joint 66for a purpose which will appear later. The funnel 63 is not closed buthas spaced walls 61 in alinement with the space between the guides 58 toadmit the Shanks of nails descending along the latter. A plate 68secured to the nail feeder has a beveled or inclined surface 69effective on reciprocation of the slide 6I to cause a nail caught in theslot 62 to be dislodged therefrom and dropped through the funnel 63. Onreturn of the slide 6I, of course, the next nail in the row enters theslot 62.

The slide 6I is reciprocated by a lever 69 pivoted at 16 in a bearingcarried on the same den pending portion of the transom I3 as the bearingI8. The lower end of the lever 69 is provided with a tappet 1I threadedtherethrough whereby it may be adjusted. The tappet 1I bears against aroller 12 journaled at the left-hand end of the slide 6I as viewed inFig. 2. The other end of the slide 6I is engaged by a compression spring13 disposed in a bore through the standard I2.

The lever 69 is provided at its upper end with a roller 14 bearing on aside cam 15. The cam 15 is composed of two parts, being split along -adiameter for assembly about the shaft I6. A compression spring 16disposed in a socket 11 bears against the upper end of the lever 69 tohold it against the cam 15. The socket 11 is formed in the dependingportion of the transom I3 which carries the bearing I 8. It will beapparent that rotation of the shaft I6 and the cam 15 will causeoscillation of the lever 69 and reciprocation of the slide 6I to feednails suc cessively from the guides 58 downwardly through the funnel 63and tube 64.

The nail feeding chuck 65 comprises a guide block 18 secured to thestandard I2 below the bracket 59, having a nail passage 19 therethrough.Jaws pivoted in the block 18 co-operate to guide a nail forceddownwardly through the passage 19. The block 18 is so disposed that anail emerging from between the jaws 8U will be accurately alined withthe hole extending through one of the molds 50 on the table 32 when thelatter is arrested between successive step-by-step movements. The jaws86 are adjustably urged against each other by springs 9| disposed withinsocket members 82 secured to the block 18.

The bracket 56 is provided with guides 83 in which a slide 84 isreciprocable. A plunger 85 is secured to the lower end of the slide 84and is adapted to enter the passage 19 of the block 16 through asuitable opening. The plunger 85 is threaded into the Slide 34 forpurposes of adjustment relative thereto and is p-rovided with a lock nut85a. It will be apparent that reciprocation of the plunger 65 iseffective, after a nail has been fed downwardly through the funnel 63and tube 64 into the passage 19, to force the nail down between the jaws6|] and into a mold 56 in alinement therewith. The plunger 85 is soadjusted relative to the slide 84 as to force the nail downwardly intothe mold to the desired extent, viz., as shown in Figs. '1, 8 and 9, sothat the head of the nail is spaced slightly above the bottom of themold. 'I'he nail is held in this position by the fricticnal, engagementvthereof of the spring-pressed plunger in the bore 53.

Reciprocation of 'the vslide 84 on which the plunger 95 is mounted, `iseffected by va crank 86 on the shaft i6 and a pitman 81 `carried bythecrank and pivoted kto Atheslide at 88.

The pouring mechanism` A container 89 for cap-forming material isAmounted on a bracket -90 secured to the shelf t5 (see Fig. 1). IIf Athecaps are to -be formed from molten lead, the container 89 is preferablylagged as at 9| and provided with a suitable burner for maintaining thecontents thereof molten. A bored block -92 extends through the wall ofthe container 89. A block `93 providing a valved dispensing spout is4secured to the block `92. A passage 94 in lthe block 92 is adapted tobe kclosed bya plug 95 rotatably carried in bearings 96 mounted on theinterior of the. wall of the container 89. The block 93 is provided witha plug valve "91 having a transverse bore adapted to aline in oneposition with a bore 98 in the 'block land in theother with a bore 99.The bore 93 communicates with lthe passage `Sli in the block 92 whilethe bore 99 is in alinement with the molds Vthi when they stop betweensuccessive stepby-step movements of the turntable 32.

:Thevalve 9i is actuated by a link |99 pivoted to a -crank ilil at oneend of the valve and to a bracket |192 which is secured to a bracket|02a which in turn is secured to a cross-head |03 reciprocable in ways|04 secured to the standard il. An eye-bolt E95 is pivoted to thecross-head lat '|99 and extends upwardly therefrom to an adjustingsleeve |91 threaded into the lower end of a pitman |98 carried on acrank |99 formed on the shaft i9. The lower end of the pitman is splitaxially and is provided with clamping bolts y| i9. The position of thecross-head |03 at any point in -the stroke of the pitman |08 may thus beadjusted by loosening the bolts H and turning the sleeve |91. Afteradjusting the sleeve itl, the bolts Il are again tightened. The eye-bolt|95 has a nut threaded thereon which bears on shoulders formed in thepitman |98.

It will be apparent that the structure just described effectsreciprocation of the cross-head |03 and the bracket |92 secured theretoon rotation of the shaft I6. It will also be apparent that reciproeationof the bracket `|92 causes oscillation of the plug valve 91. The partsare so dimensioned that reciprocation of the cross-head |93 causes the`plug valve `91 to oscillate through an angle of substantially 90. Thevalve is thus moved periodically from a lposition in which its bore isin alinement with the bore 98 to a position in which the valve bore isin alinement with the bore 99. rlhe result of this construction is thatwhen the valve bore is in the first-mentioned position, it is `filled.with cap-forming material, flowing thereto through the passage 94 andthe bore 99. Similarly, when the valve plug is in the second-mentionedposition, a predetermined amount of cap-forming material flows from thevalve plug 91 through the passage 99 into one `of the molds "50. Toexpedite the outflow of the cap-forming material trapped in the valvebore, a pipe ||2 `threaded into the plug body 93 in alinement with abore '||3 intersecting the valve socket and adapted to aline with the.bore through .the valve, Amay be connected to a source of air for.other rfiuid, preferably gas,

g? under pressure.

Cap-shaping mechanism A forming die ||4 extends downwardly from "thebracket |025 and is adapted to enter the molds 50 to effect 4a nalshaping of the cap-forming material poured around the head of a -naildisposed `in the mold. A plunger 5 also carried on the bracket 32a isadapted to enter the notches 36 to position the turntable 32 accuratelyfor entry of `the die |14 into the molds. The lengths of the die |14Aand plunger H5 are such that the end of `the plunger enters one of thenotches 36 before the die enters one of the molds 59. The length of thedie ||4, furthermore, is such that, at the bottom of the stroke of thecross-head |93, the die exerts sufficient pressure on the cap-formingmaterial in the mold -to shape it substantially to the form shown at ||6in Fig. 9.

The cap-forming die H4 is disposed substantially 90 vfrom the pouringmechanism, measured around the turntable 32 and, at the normal speed ofthe latter, the cap-forming material, if molten lead, has solidied inthe molds 59 before the die makes contact therewith. Since lead owsunder relatively light pressure, the shaping of the caps I9 by the diei4 is not attended with any diculty.

Eiectz'ng mechanism The nails 52, after being inserted in the molds 59by the nail feeding mechanism and having protective caps poured aroundthe heads thereof by the pouring mechanism and being shaped by theshaping die, remain in the molds until they approach a'pointsubstantially diametrically op-` posite the pouring mechanism. A plunger|11 (see Fig. 3) is reciprocable through the shelf I5 and the bed 3| andis so positioned that it alines with the nails in the several molds asthey advance successively. A link H8 is pivoted to the lower end of theplunger ||1 and to one arm I9 of a double crank |29 secured to a shaft|2|. 'I'he shaft |2| is journaled in bearings formed in the standard Iland depending from the shelf I5. A second crank |22 secured to the shaft|2| is `pivota'lly connected to a link |23 which is pivoted at its upperend .to one arm of a bell crank |24. The bell crank |24 is pivoted to`the standard on a bearing |25. The other arm of the bell crank |24 isprovided with a roller |26 serving as a follower for a cam |21 securedto the shaft I6. A tension spring |28 connected to the lower arm of thebell crank |24 and to a fixed point on .the standard holds the .rollerin constant contact with the cam |21. The 4cam is so shaped andpositioned on the vshaft in such manner that by means of the cranks |24,|22 and H9, and the link |23, the plunger ||'1 is caused to effect anupstroke when one of the molds is in alinement therewith to raise thenail therein from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the position shown atthe right-hand of the table 32 in Fig. 3.

When the nails have been raised to the intermediate position justmentioned, they Vare ready to be engaged by a vthrow-out arm |29 (seeFig. 5) having a slot |39 to receive the nail Shanks. The throw-out |29is secured to a push rod |3|. The rod |3| is slidable longitudinallythrough bearings in a cam bracket |32 secured to the bed 3|. 'Ihe rod|3I has its lower end reduced and swiveled in a block |33. A link |34 ispivoted to the block |33 rand the second and longer arm |35 of crank|29.

The bracket |32 has a cam slot |36 therein which is vertical throughoutits lower portion, but in its upper portion curves around the bracket|32 in the portion thereof defining a part of a cylinder, the axis ofwhich is that of the push rod |3I. The throw-out |29 is provided at itsouter end with a follower roller |31 positioned in the slot |35. Byreason of this construction, on elevation of the push rod |3|, thethrowout rises with it and without any rotation about the axis of thepush rod for the first position of the stroke. When the roller |31engages the curved portion of the slot |36, however, the throw-out |29and the rod |3| are rotated about the axis of the latter. The timing ofthel operating mechanism is such that the rod |`3| starts up only afterthe shank of a nail in one of the molds 50 which has been partiallyraised therefrom by the plunger 1, has entered the slot |30 in thethrow-out |29. The nail so engaged is entirely removed from the mold 50by the initial movement of the rod |3| and throw-out |20. The rotarymovement of these parts, which is not effected, of course, until thenail shank has been completely removed from the mold, serves todischarge the nail laterally into any suitable receptacle such as adischarge chute or hopper.

Flash-trimming mechanism Because of the necessity for working clearancebetween the die ||4 and the molds 50, the metal forming the cap issometimes forced upwardly between the die and molds when the formerenters the latter to shape the caps, forming ash indicated at |39. Weprovide a ashtrimming mechanism (best seen in Fig. 3) effectiveautomatically to remove this iiash between the two steps of the ejectingoperation. A trimming tool |40 is journaled in a bearing |4| secured tothe bracket |02d, and is supported therein by a thrust collar |42. Thetool |40 has a reduced upper end |43. A drive shaft |43 is journaled ina bearing |45 on one of the ways |04. The shaft |00 is driven by a motor|46 supported on a shelf |41 extending laterally from the transom |3,through a coupling |48. The shaft |64 has a telescoping connection withthe upper end |03 of the tool |40, such as afforded by the pin and slot|50 and |5|.

The tool |40 is so disposed that, when the table 32 stops with certainof its molds in alinement with the nail feeder, forming die andthrow-out, the mold just behind that alined with the throw-out is alinedwith the tool |40. The tool, furthermore, being carried on the bracket|02a, reciprocates with the crosshead |03. This is permitted by thetelescoping connection between the tool and its driving shaft |64. Thetool |30 is thus lowered into engagement with the cap on a nail in theintermediate stage of its ejection, just after it has been raised tothat position. The motor |36 is operated continuously so that onlowering of the cross head |03, the tool |00 descends by its own weight.The friction exerted on the nail by the spring-urged member in theradial hole 53 is suicient to restrain the nail from rotation. As theflash is very thin, it is quickly removed by the cutting ledges |52 ofthe tool |40, before the crossheadk |03 reverses. The length of the tool|40 is such that it will not force the nail downwardly in its mold belowa position in which it may be engaged by the throw-out |29.

Modified form of nail Figs. 13 and 14 show a modified form of nail |53having wings or webs |54 extending between the head and shank. Thesewings serve to position the heads above the bottoms of the molds 50.They also key the caps to the nailheads to prevent rotation of thelatter on the former, and provide a tighter bond of the cap to the nail.

It will be clear from the foregoing description that the inventionprovides means for feeding nails from a loose mass thereof into moldsspaced circumferentially of a turntable advancing stepby-step, at onepoint in the path of said molds; to pour a predetermined amount ofcap-forming material into the molds at a point substantially around thepath of the molds from the point at which the nails were inserted; tosubject the cap-forming materi-al poured around the nail heads to afinal shaping operation after it has solidified, at a point about 90around the path of the molds from the pouring point; and finally, toremove the capped nails from the molds at a point about 90 around thepath of the molds from the point where the final shaping is eiected,after trimming the caps to remove any iiash thereon. The nail feeding,cap-forming, flash-trimrning and nail ejection are effectedautomatically during the periods of dwell between the step-by-stepmovements of the turntable, the movements of all portions of theapparatus being controlled by the design and operation of theiractuating mechanisms so that the various functions lare performed in thedesired sequence.y The turntable is positively positioned, furthermore,during a portion of the period of dwell, to insure the accuratealinement of the nail feeding, pouring, and cap-shaping means with themolds.

The invention is characterized by numerous advantages. In the firstplace, the construction is relatively simple and the machine can beoperated by relatively unskilled or semi-skilled Workmen; as no manualoperations are required of the operator, but only visual inspection tomake sure that it continues to operate in a normal manner. furthermore,at a speed sufficient to increase the output of skilled workmen nowemployed in capping nail heads by hand. A substantial reduction in costof nails having capped heads is thereby effected.

A particular advantage results from the method of pouring thecap-forming material around the nail heads and then finally forming orshaping them. The cap-forming material is highly fluid when poured and,therefore, flows entirely around and under the nailhead, providingcontinuous protection therefor. The final forming or shaping of the capsmakes them uniform in shape which is desirable for the sake ofappearance and, furthermore, compacts the cap-forming material firmlyaround the nail head. A superior product of uniform appearance is theresult.

Although we have illustrated and described herein but a preferredembodiment and practice of the invention, it will be understood thatchanges in the construction and procedure disclosed may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

We claim:

1. A nail capping machine comprising a turntable having a plurality ofmolds spaced circumferentially thereof adapted to receive nail- Themachine can be operated, 4

heads, said molds and table having holes therethrough for nail shanks,means for partly lifting nails from said holes after formation of a capthereon, and means below the surface o f the table engaging the nailshanks for frictionally holding said partially lifted nails in elevatedposition.

2. A nail capping machine comprising a turntable having a plurality ofmolds spaced circumferentially thereof adapted to receive nailheads,said molds and table having holes therethrough for nail Shanks, meansfor partly lifting nails from said holes after formation of a capthereon, and means for trimming ash from said caps While the nails arein partially lifted position. l

3. In a nail capping machine, a turntable having holes spacedcircumferentially thereof adapted to receive the Shanks of nails duringthe formation of caps on the heads thereof, a plunger adjacent the tableand substantially perpendicular thereto, means mounting the plunger foraxial reciprocation and rotation, a radial finger on said plungeradapted on rotation of the table to engage the shank of a nail partiallyejected from one of said holes and, on axial movement of the plunger, tolift the nail entirely out of the hole, and means. for rotating theplunger on axial movement thereof, to deliver the nail laterally of thetable.

4. In a nail capping machine, a turntable having holes spacedycircumferentially thereof adapted to receive the Shanks of nails duringthe application of caps to the heads thereof, a plunger mounted adjacentsaid table for reciprocation longitudinally of said nails, said. plungerhaving a radial finger, means for rotating said plunger as itreciprocates, and means for reciprocating the plunger on engagement ofsaid finger by the shank of a nail in one of said holes, whereby thefinger lifts the nail by its head and delivers the nail laterally ofsaid table.

5. In a nail capping machine, a turntable having holes spacedcircumferentially thereof adapted to receive the shanks of nails duringthe formation of caps on the heads thereof, a

lifter rod adjacent said table and perpendicular thereto, means mountingsaid rod for axial and rotary movement, said rod having an arm thereonadapted to engage under the heads of the nails lsuccessively on rotationof the table, means for reciprocating said rod in timed relation to themovement of the table, and means for rotating said rod to swing said armafter it has lifted a nail from one of said holes.

6. In a nail capping apparatus, a nail-receiv ing mold, means forforming a cap on a nail disposed in said mold, means for partiallyeject.- ing the nail from the mold after formation of the cap, and arotary cutter movable toward said mold for trimming said cap afterpartial ejection of the nail from the mold and while the nail is stillsupported therein.

7. In a nail capping machine, a turntable having holes spacedcircumferentially thereof adapted to receive the Shanks of nails duringthe formation of caps on ythe heads thereof, and a rotatable lifteradjacent said table for reciprocating movement longitudinally of saidnails, said lifter having a radial finger adapted to engage the nailshanks successively on rotation of the table, and means forreciprocating said lifter on engagement of said finger by a nail shank,said linger being effective on reciprocation of the lifter to lift anail from one of said holes -by its head, and, on rotation of thelifter, to discharge the nail laterally.

8. In a method of capping nailheads, the steps including inserting theshank of a nail through a die, die-forming a cap on the head of thenail, partially -ejecting the shank from the die, and trimming off theflash projecting from said cap while the shank remains partly in saiddie.

9. In a method of capping nailheads, the steps including inserting theshank of a nail through a die, forming a cap on the head of the nail,partially ejecting the shank from the die, and finishing the cap Whilesupporting the nail by its Shank in the die.

HARRY KING. WILLIAM M. BELL.

